Previous Day
Robson stands by his Stan
While John O'Shea helped his manager's cause yesterday by coming
through an entire training session at Malahide without any apparent
problems, Bobby Robson mounted an impassioned defence of Steve
Staunton to journalists whom he accused of being unfair to the
Republic of Ireland boss. p
Flagship event loses sponsor
One of the longest-running sponsorship associations on the PGA European Tour came to a conclusion yesterday when the Smurfit Kappa Group, who had bankrolled the European Open at The K Club for the past 13 years, announced it was terminating the deal with immediate effect. p
George to have another crack at Breeders' Classic
RACING: George Washington is set to have another
crack at the Breeders' Cup Classic at Monmouth Park on Saturday
week and Aidan O'Brien's mercurial former champion miler could be
part of a five-strong Breeders' Cup team for Ireland's champion
trainer. p
Rugby 
Tickets for final going for up to €6,000 each
Tickets for Saturday's Rugby World Cup final between England and South Africa are changing hands for four-figure sums as tens of thousands of fans scrambled for the chance to follow their heroes. pLaporte missed opportunity of lifetime
On Rugby It's a fickle game and no doubt about it. Had Bernard Laporte helped deliver a World Cup final for les bleus he would now be 80 minutes away from immortality and probably immune from criticism. pCalls for Madiba and repeat of spirit of '95
Former South African president Nelson Mandela has been invited to Paris for Saturday's World Cup final with England as expectations mount in the "Rainbow Nation" of a repeat of their 1995 tournament victory. pInjury only minor part of English wing's pain
Quietly and unemotionally, Josh Lewsey - one of the English heroes of 2003 and an ever-present in their side in this World Cup - yesterday described the moment when he realised he was going to miss this Saturday's final. p
Let Staunton get on with plan - Given
The goalkeeper argues that few appreciate just how tough a job Steve Staunton has. Mary Hannigan reports pPearce expresses support for "outstanding" Ireland
England under-21 manager Stuart Pearce yesterday expressed the hope that Stephen Ireland would put his troubles behind him and fulfil his "vast potential". pItaly feel it's time for mind games
Italy have been reluctant to acknowledge Scotland's revival but now the world champions have recognised the seriousness of the threat and have begun to play mind games in advance of their meeting in the final Group B match next month. pTerry ready to answer call
John Terry successfully came through a training session before tomorrow's Euro 2008 qualifier against Russia in Moscow. The England captain was on the flight from Manchester having lasted out 60 minutes' training on an artificial pitch in Altrincham and will have a further assessment today. pHughes hasn't given up hope
Aaron Hughes is convinced Northern Ireland still have a chance of qualifying for Euro 2008. pIrish trio return
European U-21 Championship Preview: The Republic of Ireland under-21 side have made three changes to their starting line-up for tonight's Uefa Championships qualifier against England. pLongford snatch point
Longford Town 1 Waterford Utd 1 Waterford United were probably the happier of the two teams despite conceding a late equaliser at Flancare Park last night. pDunphy rescues Bray
Bray Wanderers 1 Derry City 1 Bray Wanderers came back from the dead to earn a precious point in their battle against relegation when a goal in the second minute of added time by substitute Paul Dunphy gave them a deserved draw at the Carlisle Grounds last night. pPity mentor didn't get to fulfil his role
On Soccer He has had his own critics down the years, but, when Steve Staunton was unveiled to a mixture of surprise and disappointment as the new manager of the Ireland team, it was the inclusion of Bobby Robson as part of a package deal that allowed John Delaney a little wriggle room on his commitment to hire a "top class" successor for Brian Kerr. p
No monopoly on broadcasts
The GAA has defended the granting of broadcast rights to subscription channels. Speaking generally in the context of current negotiations to decide the next round of rights, the GAA's commercial and marketing manager, Dermot Power, said that whereas Croke Park acknowledged opposition to the decision to allow Setanta to broadcast floodlit National League matches, that opposition had been less than expected and that competition for the rights to Gaelic games was welcome. pProvincial finals clash
Next year's Ulster football final will have difficulty in switching to Croke Park should the provincial council decide to use the headquarters venue, as happened in the three years 2004-06. p
Moving in the right direction
Course Development: Philip Reid takes a visit to Dun Laoghaire Golf Club's new home in the foothills of the Dublin mountains and has a hard time picking his jaw up off its pristine pastures and state-of-the-art clubhouse facilities pMore merit for Els to cash in
The question is: "How much does the European Tour's Order of Merit mean to the leading players?" Sure, it is something they want on their curriculum vitae, but, compared to a major, it is very much playing second fiddle; and Ernie Els - a two-time winner, in 2003 and 2004 - sums up the reality of a professional's aspirations in respect to the money title (which he leads) with the frank admission that the end-of-season period is more about cashing in on your name. pElmgreen hold their nerve on final hole of good week
Musgrave Crumlin Children's Hospital Club Challenge: Runners-up in 2002, Elmgreen Golf Club finally brought the Musgrave Crumlin Children's Hospital Golf Challenge title to Leinster after an enthralling four days of competition in the Algarve last week. pRetief was certainly no banker
Caddie's Role Wentworth, the leafy luxurious country club in the stockbroker belt of Surrey, was the scene of the World Matchplay Championship last week. It marks the start of the "silly season" of tournaments for the already packed annual schedule for those players who have the world at the end of the steps of their private aircraft. pThe Short Game
Noonan takes Alliance opener The Leinster Alliance opened their season at the European Club on Sunday when Seán Noonan led home a large field with 35 points. The Slade Valley nine-handicapper won on the back nine from Derek Rath from Old Conna, with Ralf Lennon from Arklow third on 33 points. The Old Conna pair of Joe Drea and Conor Lynch took the remaining nett places with 30 points each. p
Focus turns to medals as Dublin awarded major event
Athletics/European Cross Country Championships: After yesterday's announcement that Dublin will host the European Cross Country Championships in 2009 the focus now shifts to maximising the success of the event, particularly in terms of winning medals. Ireland already have a good record at European level, and nothing would mark the occasion better than getting home athletes on the medal podium in just over two years' time. pIreland squad heads to Chicago with high hopes
Boxing/World Amateur Championships: Arguably the most undervalued of our sports, boxing again hopes to put athletes on the podium later this month at the World Championships in Chicago. Not only does fighting at the World Championships represent the biggest event of the boxing year it holds the added significance of qualification for the Beijing Olympics next year for the 11-man team, making this year's contest particularly piquant. pSports Digest
Cycling/Deignan shows up well in Italy: Philip Deignan finished 29th in the 1.HC-ranked Giro dell'Emilia in Italy on Saturday, coming home in a group 2 minutes and 47 seconds behind the winner Fränk Schleck (Team CSC), writes Shane Stokes . p
